Fall Film Premiere and VIP Reception Event: Being Elmo
Don't miss RiverRun's inaugural Fall Film Premiere event and VIP Reception this November 9th at the Stevens Center! The VIP Reception runs from 5:30-6:45 pm and and includes an array of McRitchie wine, Piedmont Distillers cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres from Willows Bistro. The film then begins at 7:00. Tickets may be purchased for the Reception and Film combo ($60) or for the film only ($15, $7 for students and children) at the Stevens Center box office. To purchase tickets to the Reception and Film online click here. To purchase tickets online for the film only, click here.
Running time: 80 mins
Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator Kevin Clash, however, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin (and Elmo) ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary won a Special Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival and a Best of Fest Award at the Seattle International Film Festival, not to mention screenings to adoring audiences at South By Southwest, Silverdocs, and several other high profile film festivals. Being Elmo includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.
“It is impossible to come out of this documentary about Kevin Clash, the man behind Elmo, without wanting to hug someone.” - Jada Yuan, VULTURE/NEW YORK MAGAZINE
“The documentary Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, which should make Kevin Clash a household name, is an INSPIRING AND JOYOUS celebration of art, skill, determination and making kids happy.” - Kyle Smith, NEW YORK POST
Age recommendation: 8 years +
$7 – film only (students and youth pricing) Buy Tickets (special pricing available once tickets are selected)
ABOUT THE PUPPETEER
Kevin Clash, whose characters include Elmo, Hoots the Owl and Baby Natasha, is Sesame Street’s Senior Puppet Coordinator and Muppet Captain as well as Sesame Workshop’s Senior Creative Consultant.
He began building puppets at the age of 10 and performed on Baltimore’s Harbor Front and local television as a teenager. Clash’s first television work was for the CBS affiliate in Baltimore. He came to Sesame Street after attracting the attention of Muppet™ designer Kermit Love. Clash’s film credits include Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I and II, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets from Space and Elmo in Grouchland.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Constance Marks is an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker. She is the founder and president of Constance Marks Productions, Inc., a documentary production company based in New York City. Marks began her filmmaking career over 30 years ago as an assistant editor for the renowned Cinema Verite pioneers, David and Albert Maysles.
Marks’ critically acclaimed films have been shown theatrically, broadcast widely, and garnered numerous awards. Her productions include Return to Appalachia which aired on PBS, Let’s Fall in Love: A Singles Weekend at the Concord Hotel, which was selected by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as one of the outstanding documentaries of the year, and Green Chimneys - a full-length documentary feature film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and aired on HBO.
